This ebook is licensed for your
personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away
to other people. If you would like to share this book with another
person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share
it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it
was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to
Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting
the author's work.

* * * * *

Finally, the exhausting day was over.
The click of my heels echoed across the empty lobby as I crossed to
lock the doors. I paused, hand on the latch. There sat a large pickup
truck alongside mine in the otherwise empty lot. I glanced at my
watch, 6:45. Everyone else had been gone well over an hour. What the
hell was Brody still doing here?

I snapped the lock into place and
began gathering my things.

"I need an assistant." I
mumbled as I loaded my briefcase with estimate notes and print outs
of emails to look over. I headed for the side door. Brody had a key
he could close up after himself. I reached for the knob. What if he
didn't have
his key? Maybe I should just see if he needs anything, let him know
I'm leaving?

"Shit!" I swore out loud and
heaved my heavy briefcase onto the receptionist's desk, then headed
toward the shop area.

Entry to the shop was through our
break area, beside the receptionist's desk. A large window over the
sink gave a limited overview of the work area to whomever was forced
into doing the dishes. Three work tables lined each side, separated
by large, orange protective screens. The saws in the center were
illuminated in intermittent flashes of blue white light, signs of a
welder at work. I pushed open the door and stepped into the
flickering light.